Make this site private.

[Synchro]

At the very least, I think that there should be a an option within our forum profile, where we must declare which sites we are using the software on. This information, should only be visible to moderators and above.
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Honda RC160

[Mike Hughes]

I don't understand why you're so concerned about illegal users of actinic software. Actinic does have some people using unlicensed versions, but every actinic license key generates a unique code which appears on every actinic site. There is no way of hiding this and actinic can and does police this to make sure there aren't large numbers of unlicensed users running active sites.

Mike

[Synchro]

I am concerned olderscot, because I feel that by providing support for products, in an unregulated way, is taking the p155 out of people who support the software company, by buying their products. Simple. If anyone cannot understand this then i shall try and explain it further.
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Yamaha YA-1

[Synchro]

To try and emphasis my point, the software which is being used to provide this support forum (vbulletin) does not provide any support through its forums, without the users registering their vbulletin software licence on the site first.

As I have said, it really isn?t hard to set up and once it?s done, it?s an automatic process, where the user is transferred into another user group, where he has access to support forums. All automatic, all secure. All users who do not register their software on the site remain in the presales forums user group. Once you have registered your software their, you don not have to do it again?.ever. There is no information to ?loose?, as the only information you ?needed?, was your software licence key.

On a side note, why is the developer forum closed, if the rest of the site is open? Is this logical?

[wjcampbe]

Neil,

Don't know why you think the forum is not regulated. Its run by Actinic on their servers. If they think and post is OTT they can delete it, any user abusing the forum they can ban him/her.

Developer software costs circa GBP1200.00 that should buy some perks - but, I presume the logic behind the closed forum is that it discusses capabilities and features not available in the standard catalog or business products. Inexperienced users would forever be complaining that advice contained in developer posts don't work on catalog if that information was open to all.

[Synchro]

Are you suggesting that a moderator/admin knows how many Actinic liciences someone who is "browsing" the forums (not just posting, but browsing) the forums has? It makes no difference where the forum is hosted, it is how it set up.

So, am I correct in my understanding that because Developer costs more, its users are treated to forums where their official support forums are restricted to people who have proved they own developer liciences?
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RC149

[Synchro]

Maybe open forums, arent the place to talk about this?

[chris ashdown]

DEveloper forum has had only 18 messages since 13 sept which I think means most with developer prefer to use the open sites for either help or to assist which is what we all want

[Synchro]

In all fairness, I think that just suggests that the site has been running in an open manner for a time long enough for people to become used to its openness.

All I am suggesting is that a number of presales forums are created, for people to discuss things in an open manner. Questions and answers. However, when anybody asks a question which is obviously a support question, they are asked to register their software here. Once they have done this they are then allowed access to support forums. There will still be healthy "open forum" traffic, but support (from paid Actinic employees and helpful users), is kept to secure.

Would you like it if you paid for a consultant to come and give you business advice? Then someone with a similar business took all that information and used it on their company?
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starcraft 2 replays

[Synchro]

Do these people use Actinic illegally?

Do we know that all the registered users and guests (some of these will be spiders) are not using Actinic illegally?

[cdicken]

No we don't - but the Actinic Community, at it's heart, is a place for Actinic users to share knowledge and help each other out. It is worth saying that it is not solely a support mechanism - we have email and phone support for that, and we do check people's license keys and so on when people contact us directly.

A few people come along who probably haven't bought the software legally, but then if you have any kind of open and free online community, you will get the odd person abusing the system. But then I think the benefits of having a friendly interactive and free community outweigh those concerns.

[Synchro]

Thanks for your response. I can't say I agree, but then again, I am only one of your customers voicing his concern. This forum, does take a large load off your support structure. Keeping it open does make it more friendly to, "all". Keeping it open will probably make a few people a year try before they buy anything else. Keeping it open will also however allow free support to illegal users, something I will remain unhappy about.
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Harley-Davidson WLA

[Jim Riley]

The really cool people hang out in the open forum boards

I bet the Developer Forum is full of tecckkie geeks

Jim

DEveloper forum has had only 18 messages since 13 sept which I think means most with developer prefer to use the open sites for either help or to assist which is what we all want

[pinbrook]

I am only one of your customers voicing his concern.

maybe re phrase this to "I am THE only one of your customers..........................."

[Synchro]

I'd agree with that also. Nowt to be ashamed of my friend!

If it took more than one person to make an opinion then where would we be?

Forums should be used to voice opinions. I have voiced mine, thankyou.
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Honda RC212V